The National Defence University- Kenya (NDU-K) Council has today held it’s fourth regular meeting at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen, Nairobi. The meeting  was chaired by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla. IPSTC is a College of NDU-K.

The Council is NDU-K’s highest decision-making organ on matters governance and management. It mobilises resources to facilitate mandate implementation in conformity with the Universities Act 2012 and the Charter. The Council is responsible for development and approval of statutes and determining employee recruitment, appointment and promotion. Also, the organ approves the terms and conditions of service for University employees. The University Council comprises of the Chair (sitting CDF), University Vice-Chancellor (Council Secretary) Principal Secretaries for Defence, National Treasury and the Higher Education, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and KDF Service Commanders. Others include a senior academicians with experience in diplomacy and another from public or private sector with proven entrepreneurial skills.

In his remarks, the CDF who is also the Chairperson of the Council thanked the first Vice- Chancellor (VC) of the University, Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi who is now the VCDF for steering the institution to a growth trajectory that enabled the University make significant strides this far.

The CDF noted that the Council, being the governing body of the University has played it’s key role in supporting the NDU-K management which has enabled the institution set up critical governing structures, recruit key staff and develop key infrastructure.

This was the first Council meeting that Gen Ogolla chaired since his ascension as the CDF and consequently the Chairperson of the Council. It was also the first for Maj Gen Farah since his appointment as the VC.

“The strong foundation the outgoing VC laid will enable those who come after to continue building a strong university of international repute. It is now time for the University to scale new heights,” said the CDF.

The CDF challenged the new VC, Major General Said Farah and the entire management team to build on the strong foundation already laid and come up with innovative ways to raise funds to make the institution self-reliant.

“I am confident that the experience and diversity of the membership of this Council will continue to provide transformative ideas to steer this institution to it’s vision of being ‘A centre of excellence in training, education and research in national security and strategy’ not only in the region but in the world,” Gen Ogolla added.

Gen. Ogolla promised the Council his total support to the VC and the Management Team of the University to enable the institution achieve it’s overall mandate.

On his part, the NDU-K VC disclosed that the University Senate had approved six new programmes which have been forwarded to the Commission for University Education (CUE) for final approval before they’re rolled out.

“We continue to develop research capacity and collaboration to ensure the University makes a mark in research and innovation. My vision is to establish the University as a credible, self-reliant partner offering academic programmes and ingenuity to the dynamic security environment and national development ambitions,” said University VC.

Maj Gen Farah reported that the University is set to hold it’s inaugural graduation in November 2023. The NDU-K Chancellor, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces is set to grace the ceremony.

The outgoing VC Lt Gen Mwangi thanked the University fraternity for their support while at the helm of the Institution saying they made his work easier. He wished his successor well as he endevours to take NDU-K to higher levels.

Among the Council members present during the meeting included the Principal Secretaries Mr. Patrick Mariru (Defence) and Dr. Beatrice Inyangala (State Department for Higher Education and Research) VCDF and Service Commanders among others.